Device and Method for measuring the First Down in Football

ABSTRACT

A device and method for measuring the First Down in football that consists of counting to the third five-yard demarcation line hence from the tip of the football as it lies on the football field in the direction of the defending team&#39;s goal line. The single pole First Down yard-marker is placed on the sideline at the spot of the third five-yard demarcation line and is brightly colored so that it is plain to see for both players and fans alike. Thus, the distance of the football to the first subsequent five-yard demarcation line will determine if the next First Down is at a distance of anywhere from ten to fifteen yards. On field Measurements will not be needed because it will be obvious if the football is over the third five-yard demarcation line since this line stretches over the entire width of the playing field.

This invention relates to a device and; more particularly, a method for easily measuring the First Down on a football playing field.

It is well known that a football and the ten-yard hence First Down is traditionally marked or located on a football field using a device consisting of two vertical-standing yard-marker poles interconnected with a metal chain. The chain has a length of approximately 10 yards so that the yard marker poles are 10 yards from each other when the chain is extended. However, the placement of the yard-marker poles invites error in that it is done by eye by the officials in the game, who must estimate the sideline position of the yard-marker relative to the actual position of the leading point of the football on the playing field.

Further, this prior art device is time consuming in its set-up when a First Down is achieved.

Further, this prior art device compounds the error when it must be brought out onto the field for a closer measurement if the football is close to a new First Down.

Further, this prior art device makes it hard for players to know if they have gained enough yardage for a First Down without looking at the sideline, a potentially distracting activity.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a yard-marker device that when combined is faster, much easier to use, infinitely more accurate, and adds a new and exciting element to the game.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for measuring the next First Down location that can be done with absolute accuracy in mere seconds.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a yard-marker device for indicating the location of the next First Down which does not rely on a chain or any similar such device, whether based on mechanical or electrical measurement.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for measuring the next First Down location that creates excitement in the game by introducing a variable to the length of the next First Down.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to force a change in strategy on the part of the offensive team by increasing the difficulty of achieving a new First Down. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for measuring the First Down in football which consists of indicating the next First Down location as existing directly on the third five-yard demarcation line hence from the current position of the forward tip of the football, in the direction of the defending team's goal line, at the end of a play in which the result was a new First Down.
 2. A device for indicating the next First Down which consists of a single vertical pole with a brightly colored dressing which can be easily seen by both players and fans alike. 